Palestinian children 'unprotected' as NGOs forced out of Gaza and West Bank

Children in Palestinian territories are becoming "increasingly unprotected" as humanitarian groups and rights defenders are forced to scale back their operations, the United Nations has warned. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child stated that many civil society and aid organizations in Gaza and the West Bank have been labeled "terrorists" by pro-Israel groups or politicians. This labeling, along with tactics such as military raids, travel bans, and financial sanctions, makes it "increasingly impossible for these organisations to operate safely or protect the children and families who turn to them for help."

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Children are “increasingly unprotected” as humanitarian groups and rights defenders are forced to scale back their operations in the Palestinian territories

These organizations have played a crucial role for over three decades in defending Palestinian children, including within the Israeli military court system, and in documenting violations by Israeli forces. Their absence leaves children more vulnerable, risking the continuation of rights violations with impunity. The committee emphasized that child rights defenders continue to support Palestinian children and families under extraordinarily dangerous conditions and must be protected, not punished.

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For more than three decades, these organisations have played a vital role in defending Palestinian children, including in the Israeli military courts, and in documenting grave violations against Palestinian children at the hands of Israeli forces

Israel has significantly tightened restrictions on humanitarian operations in Gaza since a ceasefire began on October 10. Notably, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) was banned after failing to provide a list of its Palestinian staff, further limiting access to life-saving assistance for Palestinians. In February, 17 international aid groups petitioned Israel's Supreme Court to continue their work in Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories, but the Israeli government plans to halt their operations. The UN committee urged the international community to hold Israeli authorities accountable for these actions and called for the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian individuals and groups.

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Without them, Palestinian children will be even less protected, and violations of their rights risk continuing with impunity